Mike B

Has anyone tried the clear color POR-15? In all the previous threads I've read it seems that everyone uses black even though it also comes in clear and other colors. I have some pretty minor rust on the floorpans, but I would like to coat them as a preventative measure. I think it would be better for resale down the road if someone could see what it looks like underneath rather than have it hidden by the black color.

Yeah, I love the blue on the early Z's. I'd like to get one with a blue interior some day. I was tempted to buy it when I saw it on craigslist, before it was listed on ebay, but I didn't really want an automatic. Sounds like it went to a good home. Enjoy and post some pics when you get a chance.

Was that the Blue one that you were asking about earlier?

I just tried it and the link works for me.

I was watching the auction for the car you are describing (blue 240z) on ebay the seller ended the auction early because he sold it offline. I had also seen it listed on craigslist for $6850 a few days before it was put on eBay. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/178071024.html Were you able to buy it Spridal?

According to Carl's site, it looks like this was a dealer installed accessory. http://zhome.com/History/ComHood.htm

Yeah, I agree it is ugly, but still you could replace the hood.

I'm surprised that this car didn't meet the reserve and sell. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=280000410491&ih=018&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT The BIN price was $9,350 which doesn't seem too bad for its condition. I think the hood venting was part of the dealer fix for the vapor lock problem that some z's had. Everything seems stock with no rust and the paint looks nice. Am I missing something?

$7900 Aus converts to $5888 US. Sounds like a great deal. No wonder it sold in 30 minutes.

Ian, I live in Sammamish and I've got a nos Z replacement ignition that I bought off ebay several months ago and don't need. If you are interested, I'll sell it to you for what I paid for it which was about $125.

These are pictures of the reversible key blanks that were used for all locks on later 240Zs in the US (or at least that is my understanding). Nissan Part #'s KEY00-00050 (left groove) and KEY00-00051 (right groove). I also attached a picture of the original packaging for the keys. Looks like they came 5 per bag.

These are pictures of the WASO and VOSS type key blanks. Nissan Part #s KEY00-00028 (WASO), and KEY00-00034 (VOSS). I believe these were used as ignition keys for the series one 240z cars in the US.

These are pictures of the four types of original key blanks that were noted in previous posts as being used for the doors/hatch for the series one 240Z cars in the US. Nissan part #'s KEY00-00016, KEY00-00017, KEY00-00018, and KEY00-00019.

You're right. It's way too nice for that price. It's got to be a scam.

I bought a 72 with 38,000 miles last summer and it came with two of the three booklets you have. I have the AM/FM comparison and Hitachi radio booklets, but not the consumer information book. The car was sold by the guardian for the original owner and came with several boxes of misc items like a NOS driver seat cover still in the original packaging, so I can relate to the "treasure trove" feeling. It also had the original brochure for the car and the original dealer accessories brochure.

Carl, Ok. Maybe I'm over reacting to some of the comments. To be honest, I'm not especially proud of having spent so much for keys, but like I said they were important to me and I wanted to make sure I got them while they were available. I guess I just don't like seeing my eBay user ID "in lights" so to speak, especially in the context of being a fool who overpaid for something that is unimportant and easily obtainable. It sounds like you can sympathize with that. I doubt that the seller is sitting on top of a hoard of NOS 240z keys, but if he is and keeps selling them I have no problem with that. I also recently bought some other NOS datsun roadster keys (just because they were cheap) that may fit some of the 70 Z's (some were the WASO keys that I've seen mentioned on other threads) from a former datsun mail order business owner. Those were relatively cheap (under $10 each), but I think the later 240z keys are harder to obtain.

NCZ, I agree posting the original question was not the problem. The problem as I see it is when people go beyond offering a reasonable opinion of whether the price was high or not and start making personal comments like the ones I specifically mentioned (such as Unkle's fool comment). Regarding ddezso's comment and my response, I think it was justifiable for me to interpret it the way I did based on the other comments, but if his intent was not to jump on the criticism bandwagon (as it apparently was not) I appologize for the mistake. It is hard not to get upset when you see people attacking you without knowing the whole story and others that make it seem like any part can be had by just making a trip to the local dealer. I wish it were that easy to get Z parts and that they were all inexpensive.

Since there has been so much discussion about this, I’d like to clear up the mystery for everyone. I bought the keys being commented on and I must say that it strikes me as funny that so many people are willing to offer up their opinions about my eBay purchases and me without my asking for them. Since everyone is so interested, here is some additional information. I’ve always liked the look of the original Nissan keys and have looked for several years trying to find one. It sounds like a few others have as well. By the way Unkle, if there are so many original Nissan keys in Canada you should buy them and sell them yourself. Surely an old school locksmith such as you must have cases of these things laying around? This is the only time I have seen NOS Datsun keys for sale anywhere that fit my 72 Z. Yes, of course I tried lots of locksmiths and Nissan dealers first. Everyone said basically the same thing; those keys haven’t been available for many years. I bought a total of 5 keys for an average price of $73.16 each, and although that is more than I really wanted to spend, I think it not a bad deal. I bid on (and wound up winning) all five keys because I wanted to have backups for several reasons – in case the locksmith made a mistaking in cutting them, in case I lost a set of keys, in case I get another Z at some point in the future, etc. I hardly think that is “trying to corner the market”. I realize that they are not cheap, but it is something I look at everytime I drive my car, so it is worth it to me. There are lots of 240z parts that I think are overpriced and I could criticize people for buying (hubcaps, dashes, taillights, most any true NOS part) but it is a matter of supply and demand and if they are willing to spend their money, more power to them. If these keys really could be had by visiting the local dealer or locksmith, they would only sell for 5 or 10 bucks each, but they can't, so they don't. Here’s something else to keep in mind, the only reason my bids went as high as they did was because someone else was willing to spend a dollar or so less to buy them as well. I saw another post on this site where someone recently completed a restoration of his Z at a cost of $40,000+ and some of the same people making these comments about me are congratulating him. I have no problem with him spending that much, I just find it ironic at how some people are attacked on this site while others are encouraged. Regarding some specific comments that were made towards me: Unkle: “The fool who pays upwards 100.00 US has a hoarding problem !” Regardless of what you think of my purchases, I don’t appreciate being called a fool and I don’t have a hoarding problem. Carl Beck: “I wonder how many blank keys dag1955 has stashed away... and how much uwhusky89 will spend in total... What if dag1955 has a whole case of them!! too funny...” I would expect more out of the president of the IZCC. You know what I find too funny Carl? Someone that bids $99 on a RARE 25 page dealer service bulletin (eBay Item number: 8024377624) and then criticizes me for buying NOS keys. zhead240: “hey the guy that won the dec auction won the five auctions in oct. what's he doing, trying to corner the market?” See my response to Unkle and thanks for butting into my business and posting this to being with. sblake01 – self proclaimed “Datsonologist”: “They can be found though it isn't easy but I can see no reason to pay such an outlandish price as the eBay auction. It's just a key, for Christ's sake! If your're worried about originality at the car show, keep your keys in you pocket.” Again, if you can find them, sell them yourself and thanks for the unsolicited opinion. I never said I was worried about originality at a car show, just wanted the keys to complete my car. I’m happy with them and could careless what you think. Ddezso: “We UW Huskies are smart like that.......”I take it you are also a UW alumni then ddezso? If so, thanks for uninvited personal attack. Or maybe you are just a bitter WSU Cougar?

When I bought my '72 240z it came with AMCO floor mats, which have the letters "240Z" inside of a circle molded into the mats. I bought the car from the original owner and in some of the paper work I received from him there was an original 1972 Datsun accessories brochure. This brochure shows these mats as a dealer option for 1972, so he must have bought them when he purchased the car. I recently bought a second pair of AMCO mats on eBay and they have just the letter "Z" in the circle. Does anyone know anything about these mats? Are these from a different year? I have attached pictures below.

Zclocks, I have a battery disconnect switch and an original working clock in my 72 240z. I was wondering if it is better to use the switch to disconnect the battery when the car is not in use, or if it is better for the clock to run continuously. Any thoughts?

The only Z club I know of is the Z Car Club of Washingtonin the Seattle (eastside) area. WWW.ZCCW.ORG. I haven't joined yet, but plan to within the next couple of weeks.

Thanks. I'll give them a try and let you know how it turns out.

Good question. I'm in the process of trying to detail my engine compartment as well on my 72 240z with 37,000 original miles. My engine compartment is in relatively good shape, but has dirt that seems to be hard to remove without scrubbing it directly, which is not possible around all of the wiring and other tight areas. I bought some "gunk" engine cleaner yesterday and tested it in limited areas. It was ok on the greasy areas, but not the dirt. I was afraid of damaging the paint if I left it on too long or applied too liberally so that may be part of the problem. I also tried some 0000 steel wool on some of the bare metal parts and it seemed to do an ok job without any damage, but is a lot of work. Would steam cleaning by a professional detailer do the job?

I have tried several in the US and they all say the same thing, that the original style key blanks haven't been available for years.

Zrush, I also have a 72 with a production date of 5/72, but my VIN is about 5,000 higher than yours (HLS3085403)